"One of the areas to which reaction formation has been applied is Homophobia. Have you ever known a person who has to constantly assert their heterosexuality? Not just in the ‘normal’ way, but at seemingly strange times when sexual orientation isn’t even a topic of conversation. These same people may also make the most negative comments about gay men and lesbians, again, in a way that seems out of place in its vehemence. What about the politician who is out-spoken in his or her distain of homosexuality and proposes multiple pieces of legislation to limit the rights of homosexuals, only to be found soliciting men in airport bathrooms? Or the preacher who profusely preaches the sins of homosexuality only to be found in a hotel room with a male prostitute. According to reaction formation, these people would respond this way to hide their true attraction to same sex individuals, an attraction which produces anxiety and shame. To hide the truth, they react in ways that would throw any suspicion off them, as if, through their anti-gay actions, they can change their true thoughts and feelings."
